Stair-rod and fastener.



N0. 7|l,l,3fi. Patented Oct. I4, I902. S. L. STUVER.

STAIR BOD AND FASTENEB.

(Application filed mm. 12, 1902. (No Model.)

N N S Q N a Q Q .W/TNESSES IN VENTOR I Altarne qg UNliTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL LEIDY STUVER, OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.-

STAlR-ROD A ND FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 711,136, dated October 14, 1902. pplication filed March 12.1902. Serial No. 97,894. (No model.)

To (all who/n it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL LEIDY STUVER. a citizen of the United States, residing at Johnstown, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Stair-Rod and Fastener; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to a stair-rod and fastener; and it has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive stair-rod adapted to be ornamented similar to and present the appearance of an ordinary stair-rod and capable of being readily appliedin position and of being quickly removed therefrom without withdrawing or driving nails or similar fasteuingdevices, thereby enabling stai r-carpets to be easily laid and taken up when desired.

The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and shown, and pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a stair-rod and fastener constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are detailed views of the end sections. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the manner of interlocking the stair-rod with the eyes.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a stair-rod designed to be constructed of any suitable material, either of wood or metal, and to be ornamented in any desired manner and composed of a central section 2 and end sections 3 and 4, which are detachably interlocked with the central section 2. The end section 3, which is preferably arranged at the left-hand end of the stair-rod, is provided at its inner end, which fits flush against the adjacent end of the central section, with a longitudinal bore 5, and it has an aperture or slot 6 located at the innerend of the bore and communicatingtherewith. The outer portion of the bore forms a socket 7 to receive a projeotion S of the end of the central section, and a plug 9 is fitted into the inner portion of the bore and projects partially into the fixed in any suitable manner. section is provided with a longitudinal bore slot or aperture 6 and is adapted to engage an eye 10, which is fastened to the steps by means of a shank 11. The shank 11 may be smooth to enable the eye to be driven into the steps like a nail, or it may be threaded to screw into the steps, or the eye may be fastened to the latter in any other suitable manner. The slot or aperture has an enlarged portion 12 to permit the eye to be introduced into it, and after the eye has been inserted into the slot or aperture the stair-rod is moved longitudinally to engage the projecting portion of the plug with it, whereby that end of the stair-rod is securely fastened to the steps. Instead of detachably fitting the projection of the central section into the socket of the end section 3 the said projection may be The other end extending entirely through it and having an inner enlarged portion 13 and provided with an outer reduced portion 14, and the said enlarged portion 13 is intersected by a slot or aperture 15, adapted to receive an eye 16, provided with a shank similar to that before described, The outer part of the enlarged portion 13 of the bore forms a socket for the reception of a projection 17 of the central section 2, which projection 17 is fitted in the socket, similar to the projection at the other end of the central section. The inner part of the enlarged portion 13 of the bore receives an enlarged engaging portion 18 of a reciprocating spring-actuated belt, which detachably engages the eye 16, whereby this end of the stair-rod is secured to the steps. The bolt is provided with a reduced portion or stem 19, which extends through and projects beyond the reduced portion of the bore and which is secured in a socket 20 of an ornamental head 21, that forms the end portion orextremityotthe stair-rod. A coiled spring 22 is arranged on the stem of the bolt and is interposed between the shoulders formed by the reduction of the bolt and the reduction of the bore, and it holds the said bolt in engagement with the eye 16. The head orend piece, which is secured tothe bolt, is adapted to be pulled outward to withdraw the bolt from engagement with the eye to re lease the stair-rod, and after this end of the stair-rod is detached the other end may be freed by moving the stair-rod longitudinally to withdraw the projecting portion of the studfrom the other eye. By this means the stair-rod may be quickly detached, and it may be readily replaced by engaging the projecting portion of the stud with one of the eyes and then engaging the other eye with the bolt.

When the stair-rod is in position and en-' gagement with the eyes, it is securely held in place, and it is adapted to hold a stair-carpet firmly in position. In practice the eyes will be located beyond the stair-carpet; but, if desired, suitable apertures may be made therein to permit the stair-carpet to be placed over the eyes.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the stair-rod and fastener is exceedingly simple and inexpensive in construction, and it is easily operated to place it in position on a step, and it is capable of firmly holding the stair-carpet thereon.

I desire it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, but that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction within the scope of the appended claims may be made without departing from the spirit of this in vention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of an end section provided with a longitudinal bore extending inward from the inner end of the section, said end section being also provided at the inner end of the bore with a slot, a central section provided with a projection fitting in the outer end of the said bore, and connecting the sections, and a fixed projection secured in the inner portion of the bore and projecting into the said slot and adapted to engage the fastening device, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of end sections provided with longitudinal bores extending inward from the inner ends of the sections, a central section provided with projections fitting in the said bores and connecting the sections, a plug secured within the bore of one of the end sections and having a projecting portion for enprovided with projections fitted in the bores at the inner ends of the end sections and connecting the same with the central section, a plug fitted in the inner portion of the bore of the end section 3 and projecting into the slot thereof for engaging a fastening device, a spring-actuated bolt operating in the bore of slot thereof and abutting against the adjacent projection of the central section, said bolt having a stem extending beyond the end section 4, and a head secured to the stem, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a central stair-rod section having a projection, an end section provided with a bore extending entirely through it and having a reduced outer portion, said end being also provided with a slot intersecting the in ner portion of the bore, a bolt arranged within the bore and having a stem extending through the reduced portion thereof, the inner end of the said bore forming a socket for the projection of the central section, a head secured to the stem and forming the end of the stairrod and a spring for actuating the bolt to hold the same in engagement with an eye, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL LEIDY STUVER.

Witnesses:

W. H. STUVER, H. F. MOSER.

' the end section 4 and extending across the 

